So the next generation of consoles is here, and it’s an all out war out there. Fighting in the streets, smashing of rare and expensive equipment just to prove a point, and aggressive marketing campaigns that fall just short of direct attacks. The good news is that unlike an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, we get to choose who wins this war of the machines.
The Challengers:
Pro: An absolute powerhouse of technology. This wins the graphics and capability battle hands down. Neither of the other next-gen systems come close in terms of sheer power, and the addition of a built in blu-ray player is really nice. Also, the free Internet play and tons of downloadable content really pushes the bar into PS3’s favor
Con: Like all power, this system comes at a cost and a hefty one at that. Models with 60 gigs of storage are retailing at near $600, while the 20 gig model is selling just near $400. This alone has caused many (myself included) to wait for a large price drop before picking up a PS3. Also, the game selection which has been released with the PS3 has been getting extremely disappointing reviews for a system that claims so much.
Pro: This is the next-gen unit that’s been sitting around waiting for someone to compete with for nearly a year. It isn’t quite a powerful as the PS3, but it can still produce some stunning graphics. Of course, the fact that it has been on the market for over a year gives it a very big boost in the “fun out of the box” factor. If you pick up an Xbox 360 today there is a very good chance that you’ll be able to find at least five games which will keep you interested.
Con: Internet play is limited by the fact that you have to pay for it. They are the only company of the three that charges a monthly fee in order to play online. This is unfortunate as games become more and more about playing with friends over the Internet. Like the PS3, there is nothing innovative or new about the the Xbox 360. It is really just a new and shinier version of the original Xbox.
Pro: The only system this year that really shakes things up. The Nintendo Wii is the game system that makes everyone rethink how they play video games, or at least that’s what Nintendo wants us to believe. The control style (utilizing motion sensing and accurate remote-style pointing) is like nothing we have seen before, and opens up doors for a new level of immersion that isn’t possible in classic gaming. If Nintendo wins this fight, the gaming world as we know it may change forever. It is also the cheapest of the 3 units, coming in at only $260.
Con: The system is significantly less powerful than its opponents. The raw power of the PS3 absolutely dwarfs the Wii. There have also been reports of wrist bands breaking and wii-motes (the Wii’s controller) smashing through windows and TV sets. While the Internet play is free, the current game selection doesn’t offer much in the way of online features.
Breakdown
The only system that I have extensive hands on experience with is the Wii. So I admit, I am biased towards Nintendo. However, I have had a chance to play both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 in the past month so I can speak a bit to their power and capability. Both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 provide some impressive visuals, and I really enjoyed seeing every detail present on the screen. Seeing these games in near perfect clarity was quite an experience. However, I still believe that it isn’t impressive graphics that will move this industry further. The Wii’s innovative controls and focus on game play over graphics will give them the leverage needed to bring more people into gaming, and actually grow the market rather than appeal to those who are already hooked. I have spent the past 2 weeks playing The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and I can say that I am amazed at how much more I’m enjoying the experience than former traditional systems.
So for me, the winner is…Nintendo’s Wii.
Kris Belau
Product Specialist
Nintendo Fanboi. I’m rolling my eyes, but you can’t see!
I guess by default I’d have to agree with you though. I’m a Playstation fan through and through, but Sony really let their entire fanbase down by pushing the PS3 date back by over a year. After all the hype at E3 2005, you’d think they were near ready to release. But no. They took their dear sweet time, and some of the first gen. consoles are blu-ray buggy anyway. And the fact you drop $650 on it – and that’s without buying a game or two. Sigh.
I’m off to hug my pagan japanese console now.
Psst, the 20G model PS3 is selling for $499, not $400…
With the late release of the PS3, gamers are sitting with no games to play until mid of this year. Microsoft has gotten a very good head start this time.
I have yet to play either the PS3 or the Wii since the Wii is scarce (tear) and the PS3 is expensive. But I’m most excited to play Twilight Princess on the Wii… so I guess that’s where my vote goes.